Chapter 8

Linda heavily sighed, settling down silently the ceramic tray with brown-red cookies already stowed on its flat surface. With her frigid frame and a deceptive smile - lips parting in disgust, Linda observed her gulp down the orange juice hurriedly like a thief hastingly pilfering drinks and quickly gulping down one in a bid to quench his thirst and for his devised schemes not to be nipped. Linda could still hear the pattering sound of rain on rooftops like a truck offloading huge stones being stacked in it. She sat wearingly, her gaze directed apprehensively over the woman's huge gait. A new neighbor, she claim. Mrs Jones said communal living exists here and though there are rich people residing here, people just like you yet pride is missing for we love to correlate and unite; Linda remembered her words and repulsively , she glanced towards the  painting which she bought five years ago from France. When things go sour and she feels deserted, it gave her relief - a soothing one. Linda fondled the couch-pillow with impatience watching the heap of dark clouds dominating the sky;  the once bright and glinting sun - missing. She could see this through the curtain for she had raised it up minutes ago to know when the weather was favourable for Mrs Irene to step out of her serene home. She missed having a quiet time to herself, it was that which she love. Serenity - she could never trade for any other thing. 

           "And for one to say you're one cranky being with discipline too much for a young lady as you are and a lonely life...."

           "Excuse me? " Linda interrupted alarmingly.

          "Not me just some.. Enemies, I guess. Saying such things about you is unfair. Everyone has their rules and bothers. You offered us cookies, you're lovable. John, say thank you to Aunt once more. " Mrs Irene continued, her coarse palms rested on the back of a young fat boy as he curiously gazed at an engineering based manual clutched in his hands and his bellybutton popping out wickedly for his T-shirt was already becoming too small for his outgrown size. 

           "Thanks, Aunt. " he mumbled silently and peered through the medicated spectacles resting on his small nose. His small, fat fingers pointing at the pictures.

               "Welcome, darling. " Linda mumbled, sighing.

             "So, Linda. Heard you oversee Elites? Impressive. You're one dedicated woman and I'm pleased to know you . You see, I once organised a Woman Empowerment Programme. I'd love to see women speaking for themselves not sitting idly as housewives but starting even on a small scale business till it grows. I'd love to see more women in ministerial positions and politics due to the recognition of their prowess, hardwork and perseverance. More women in naval and army positions. Why should men be there alone? I met one guarding your gate, there can be a woman there also. Women are bold, strong and dauntless. I want my voice alongside other women to he heard by all to remove the veil from their eyes and let them see the prowess of women! " Linda watched the woman rattled off and cleared her throat like one about to give a speech on a podium amidst large audience and people of respectable positions. 

           "Great! It's impressive you raised such idea." Linda encouraged, nodding her head repeatedly. 

            There was utmost silence as Linda flinched, wondering what next will emanate from the woman's round lips as she paused, distracted by her son's mumbles. She smiled derisively, pouting her lips and poured more juice into the empty glasses slowly. 

          "It's reducing now and I can't see much dark clouds anymore. It's almost late and I'll need to prepare supper, you know? I'll still like to stay, I enjoyed your company."

           "Thanks.... "Linda muttered dissapointedly.

           "You see at 24. I had given birth to James, John's brother who's now in JS 2. He's in the hostel and I contact him everyday. When we are young, labour will be less painful and easier. "     

          "Yeah, " Linda felt a streak of scorn in her words almost at the verge of walking her out. She kept calm, holding back her words. 

         "John, we should leave now. I ought to invite you to a wedding I'll be attending next week in Abuja. The bride is a younger sister to my friend." Mrs Irene spoke loudly, now standing aright. She brought out a flower embroided envelope, Linda grasped it, dropping it on the couch being eager to see her off and have a quiet time to herself like any normal day would be. It was 5pm already, her early arrival from work was to sort out files and work on giving those who were behind the proposal, a good impression. She had a lot to do for the next day would be one day she has always dreamt off, a day to unveil and bare Tinu's eyes to the fact that she had been to more meetings, being awarded more contracts, worked on more proposals than she, Tinu has ever done. 

          Waving her right palm to bid the young boy goodbye and muttering orders to Musa, a sturdy man in army uniform; Linda stepped in. Clutching the envelope, she opened the flap quietly. She quivered and dropped wearingly on the couch with recoil and apprehension. Her eyeballs stared longly at nothing in particular, fear subduing her frame.

       "The solemnisation and holy matrimony of our Son - Kevin Adewale and our daughter, Franca Edgar..... "she read out appallingly. Rushing upstairs with haste, she breathed heavily - averting her gaze back at the held envelope. She clamped her phone with trembling, her lips partly opened and shakingly, she dialled a number. One which she would resort to call in times of distress. 

           "Cynthia... Please come, come. " Linda pleaded, cutting off the call and staring at empty space frightenedly.

                                                         *****

            "Tinu. I'll speak to Jack Robinson as I stated previously. You need not to worry or fidget lest you lose to her or any other competent or strategic person. " Bambi Amah Solanke assured once again, glancing at her pacing daughter. 

             "Mum, you've spoken to him yet? You haven't, you just haven't! " Tinu yelped with fury, dropping on the queen-sized bed - her head buried in her palms. 

          "I will. Been sorting out necessary things at my spa. There are issues to be resolved and I'll need to laze and talk to him. "

          "Oh! Your spa, mum! I forgot you oversee and own a spa. We've not been able to converse and discuss. You've not informed your white friend yet. Time awaits no one yet you appear like one who controls the clock for you've refused to pay attention to certain necessary issues too. Tiny sobbed soberly, avoiding her mother's gaze being betrayed by the door which was ajar as she kept glancing towards it. 

             "And there's no crime if I tend to my Spa too. Tinu, I've been right behind you, at your beck and call. I nurtured and cared for you, became selfless just to please and gratify your desires and I'm still endeavoring to please you. I wonder why you rant about this now. " 

          "I do cause this matters too more. You no more care like you once did! These past months, whenever I try to let you recall our wonderful moments - the old times. All you bring up is your spa. "

            "One thing I've always prayed for while I grew up is to have an husband who would be glad to see me attain great heights I've always hovered. I ought to have prayed for my children to, instead! "

            "I just need you, this moment. Our trips, our discussions are now down the lane yet you choose to be blind to all my disturbances and worries!"

           "Dear Lord! Now, my child calls me blind. I own a spa and it takes much effort to oversee one! "

            "And I'm damn tired of hearing this! " Tinu sighed, stepping out. Tinu! She heard her call yet she walked quickly with distaste. She felt Nnamdi 's eyes and that of the cooks trailed her yet she walked on, slamming her car's door. 

            Reeling speedily past the street, grumbling bitterly with her fist hitting the wheel with despair; Tinu Solanke shouted. She tried hard to suppress a cry as she kept breathing loudly like one stifled by heat.

           Tinu drove past hastingly , almost bumping into pedestrians on lanes. She clutched a fistful of gums from the glass jar next to her steering wheel . She chewed, sneering and sniffing with fury. 

            "What the heck! " she bursted, hitting the wheel repeatedly like it was it she has scuffle with. With a flustered face and her fingers ruffling her hair, Tinu remained still with her mouth bloated, gums in it. 

          Silently, she closed the opened jar with its lid , her head reclining on the car's wheel. Her hair encovered half of her face, Tinu grasped her phone, still stifling. 

             "Babe, Mark... Are you .? Cool, yeah. Guess I'll be fine when I get to you.... Thanks... " Tinu mumbled.

@Opemiplenty